Improvement in ditching-machines



' UNITED STATES 'of Richmond, in the PATENT NOFFIGE..

GEORGE W. NEVILL, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

IMPRovEMEN-r IN DrrcHlNG-*MAcl-HNES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,752, dated March 11, 1873.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. NEVILL, county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certain Iniprovements in Ditching-Machines, of which the following is a specification: i

The invention relates more particularly to the ditching-machine patented by me on vthe 30th of January, 1872, although the improvements are adapted to all ditchers of a construction in certain respects similar. The present invention consists in means for enabling the vehicle to turn in a small circle at the end of ditch, orvwhen it becomes necessary, after cutting one layer of earth to return and out another; also, in means for enabling the iianged soil-carrying wheel to adjust itself, both laterally and vertically, in an easy and unimpeded manner to the inside of the ditch; and, finally, in means for supporting the ditching-wheel frame in its-true position, while the front axle may `move independently of it, and vice versa.

.In the drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation with'parts broken out. Fig.' 2 is a top view with the seat and cross-bar removed. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the rests. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of the lever-frame and the bearing.

A represents an axle provided with wheels a a, hounds al a1, cross-bar a2, and the seat a3. B is ythe frame of a ditching-machine in which rotates, wheel and eartlrcarrier C. The parts that co-op'erate with said wheel in cleaning and discharging dirt. therefrom, and in cutting and transferring the soil, are fully described in my patent of January 30, 1872. In using the said patented machine I have found great objection to exist to the old modes of turning, on account of the great space and loss of time required.

`1n orderto remedy this difficulty I place a swiveled wheel, D, in the rear of iianged wheel C in a lever-frame, E, which has a lockingpin, e, that fits into a notch of frame. F F are rods placed one on each side of the frame B, each provided with a stop or eye, f, and each pivoted to the axle A. f 2 are loops appended to an overhung bar and forming rests which support loosely the rods F F when these rods are not in the hooks f1 attached to side of bracket f4 or of frame B. G is a frame, pivoted to axle of wheel C and union-jointed to a vertical stud, g, on axle A. The effect of this mode of connecting the danged wheel C by contact with the earth, the flanged with the front running-gear of the vehicle is to allow the said wheel to adjust itself vertically and laterally in the ditch, although the horses and front wheels may deviate considerably from their true relative position to the hanged Wheel. H is a bar pivoted near the top of frame B and workin g in the slot i of a post, I. This post is j ournaled in the front runnin ggear, so as to allow the latter to turn laterally upon it, while the pivoted bar H allows of the vertical motion either of the tongue or frame B.

The object of this bar-connection is to re lieve the frame G of a large part of the torsional or lateral strain, and to holdl the wheel O with inclosin g frame firmly and securely in position.

The operation of this device is as follows: While traveling over the ditch the rods F F remain loosely in the rests f2 of bar, so that the tongue will be allowed proper lateral play, while the lever-frame E is locked to its supporting-bracketf4 by pin e. When, however, the machine arrives at the end or turn of the ditch the frame E is unlocked from the bracket f4 and turned by hand until at right angles to the frame B. The rods F F then lock axle A by means of the hooks and eyes j f 1, so that said axle cannot turn. The horses are then turned on the smallest possible half- -circle, the wheel upon theV turning side forming the center about which the whole machine moves. When the semicircle is completed themachine has exactly reversed its position over the end of ditch, and is ready to be moved and made to take another rectangular piece of soil below the one just taken out.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The rear wheel D, placed in a swiveled Vand lock lever frame E, in combination with the rods F `F pivoted to the axle and made to lock to the frame B or bracket f4, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The frame G pivoted at rone end to the axis of the ditching-wheel C and at the other to the axle A, as and for the purpose described.

3. The bar H pivoted to the frame B and working in the slot of the swiveled post I, as and for the purpose described.

Witnesses: G. W. NEVILL.

SoLoN C. KEMON, CRAs. A. PETTIT. 

